Senators buck Sessions, move to protect state medical marijuana laws

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved a budget amendment that would prevent the Department of Justice from cracking down on state-legal medical marijuana—likely to the consternation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

The amendment prevents the Department of Justice from using any of its funds to prevent states from “implementing a law that authorizes the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.” It was added by a voice vote to the 2018 Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill.

The amendment is similar to the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment, which was present in an appropriations bill covering fiscal 2017 and has been around for years. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) is also moving a similar amendment through the House.